Natalia’s POV

I didn’t know what to say to my father after that surprise engagement Joseph pulled on all of us.

After the party ended, Micheal escorted me home, he didn’t even send his driver. He actually refused when Kim suggested that he goes with her. Partly I was sure was because of his father, maybe he wanted this to happen, maybe he forces him to escort me home.

But I didn’t care, I just wanted for any of that to be over and for me to get home. That party turned to be more drama than I thought. Well, mostly for me and Micheal, and also Kim.

But the whole way home, Micheal didn’t say anything, he was silent. I tried to initiate conversations, but he kept responding in closed ended responses. So, I gave up on that. I didn’t want his father to do what he did, if he thought this hurt him more than me he was mistaken.

I hadn’t told anyone about this aside from my best friend. Not father, not my stepmother and definitely not that cheating sister of mine. Not that I cared about the two.

But I was worried about my father. Finding out about his daughter’s engagement to the worthiest family in the city on the news or from someone wasn’t really the best way.

Even though I didn’t know what was going to happen at the party, that was bad.

“Thank you for driving me. I know you didn’t want to and I get it. And I’m sorry about your mother, I could tell you all loved her very much,” I said as he parked at the hospital.

I couldn’t go home after realizing I needed to talk to my father first. Tell him what was going on. He must be worried sick. I mean, the man thought I was going to marry Scott.

“Micheal, you can’t keep thinking I wanted what happened to happen. He is your father and you should have known better. I’m supposed to be upset at you for not telling me about Kim. Why did you even accept to this marriage if you love her?”

I didn’t know what I was doing. But I was upset at a lot of things and this felt like the right time to let everything out once and for all. I was tired of everyone using me and treating me however they felt like it.

He finally turned to face me.

“You came with the proposal.”

“After hearing your secretary gossiping about it. And if you are planning to keep this from your father, you might want to tell her to shut her mouth,” I said suggestively.

He didn’t say anything. He just gaped back at me.

“Listen, we agreed to make this work for the both of us. So, let’s just do that. If you want to be with Kim, fine. Just don’t bring her in my space and wherever your father is.”

He finally nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was going to be there.”

I didn’t know what to feel about him. The kiss did take me by surprise and maybe might have done somethings to me. But his reaction to it, to me was just off.

And to be honest, I was not ready to jump into something. So, my feelings for him could stay away for now.

“And thank you for been cool about everything that happened tonight. I just invited you and you agreed to come. Allowed whatever father did and acted according.” He added and looked away.

My chest relaxed. “I will see you tomorrow at work. I have to talk to my father regarding this. I’m sure he saw the news or someone nosy told him that his daughter just got engaged.”

A small smile stretched on his face. “Good lucky. And I promise to pay the bills for his surgery tomorrow.”

“Thanks. Good night,” I said and walked out of his car.

For a few moments he stared at me and then drove away.

Maybe we could make this work.

I turned and hurried inside the hospital, hoping against all odds he was fine and not freaking out about this.

As I touched the door to his room, I could see my hand shaking and whitening by a second.

Damn.

I pushed it open and my eyes were greeted by my evil stepmother and sister.

Seriously?

“I told you Mateo. Ask her where she has been? I mean look at her. Everything done and look at that dress. She was busy complaining about money but she is engaged to the worthiest family,” she said and walked closer to father. “If my daughter was arranged to marry that man, she would have paid everything for you and made sure we wouldn’t have to suffer any longer.”

What the hell was she doing? I knew she was a snake, but what was she implying?

“Father, she even slapped me when I asked her where she was going,” Eva cried and walked to father just like her mother.

I sighed, I really wished they weren’t here to disturb my father. But whatever.

“Can we talk in private?” There was a pause and then I raised my hand to Eva. “I want to talk to my father alone if you don’t mind. You have already taken enough from me.” I glared at her then her mother. “Please father. If you want to scold me do so. But let me explain myself first. To you and not these two. My lovely mother and dear sister, leave us alone.”

There was silence then father’s chest finally looked like it wasn’t about to snap. “My dear, please,” he took mother’s hand. “I can talk to her.”

Her face turned red. She wanted to protest, but she knew better. She just rumbled something as she and my sister walked past me and out of the room.

As I turned to father, his eyes said it all. He was disappointed in me. This was not a life he planned for me. But fate had other plans none of us anticipated.

“Father…”

“Why would you do that to me? I thought you trusted me enough to tell me you were getting engaged. Why did you think you needed to hide this from me?” His voice was low, but it cut deeper.

I didn’t want to hide this from him. Really.

“Father, I’m sorry that you had to find out in this way. You are right, I should have told you. But it happened fast and I was worried about your health. When I wanted to tell you about Eva, you didn’t want to hear it. But either way, I’m really sorry.”

After a while, he finally exhaled in relief. “I’m sorry I gave you a reason to doubt me.” He smiled and gestured for me to hug him.

I walked over and hugged him and a wave of relief washed over me. I needed this, I needed his approval.

“I love you. And thank you for understanding.”

“I love you more. And he is good looking, your mother would have been proud,” he said and a tear dropped from his eye.

I rubbed it. “So, let’s be happy.”

“Now, tell me what happened? How did you end up marrying Micheal and what happened with Scott? I thought you loved him.”

I sat on his bed and explained everything to him. But left the part of me signing a stupid contract to pay his bills. That would break him. It was better off he thought I was getting married for love.

But all the happiness I felt vanished as soon as I saw the screen of my phone.

Why the hell was Scott calling me?